Incorporating information and communications technology (ICT) and its tools in various economic sectors is happening on a global scale, namely in developed countries that now recognize the important role technology plays in the progress of these sectors and the effect it has on increasing productivity and efficiency.

Abed Shamlawi, CEO of Int@j, emphasizes the exigency of introducing technology to economic sectors, including the health, education, industry & manufacturing, commerce, transportation & aviation, and energy sectors, and which is necessitated by the development of ICT on one hand, and the development of other economic sectors productivity that will make the economies of countries prosper on the other hand.

Shamlawi said that this orientation is inevitable and should be implemented through the cooperation of the ICT sector and other economic sectors, and that governments should support such efforts by enacting advantageous legislation and laws.

He also highlighted the importance of ICT in developing the economy and economic sectors due to proven results of increased efficiency, achievement, transparency and production. Shamlawi referred to examples that have utilized technology in health, education and financials sectors.

He indicated that the inclusion of solutions, services, and tools of communication and information technology in the education sector, for example, would facilitate the development of the educational and administrative processes in educational institutions; in a manner that would make teachers’ jobs easier. It would also develop students’ skills and consequently develop this sector that would lead to the emergence of a new generation that relies on and seeks knowledge. The same is applicable to other sectors with a difference in the applications and services entailed.

He also confirmed that this inclination will result in tributary industries, products and services, which will create new job openings and will facilitate serving the economy in general.

This issue will be the focus of discussion and interaction amongst participants in the communications and information technology in the 2013 MENA Forum, in its sixth edition; which will be held at King Hussein Convention Center in Dead Sea under the patronage of His Majesty King Abdullah II, during the period March 6-7, organized by int@j in partnership with the Ministry of Information and Communications Technology.


A group of the Forum’s sessions will focus on the effect of the communications and information technology sector on many other sectors, such as those related to education, health, energy, commerce, government and transportation & aviation; whereby a discussion will take place about the destinations and developments of communications and information technologies in the fields of health, energy, education and the governmental sectors, as well as the commercial and financial sectors.

The Forum has made great and important successes in its previous meetings when it was held under the name of ‘Jordan’s Forum for Communications and Information Technologies’ for the years, 2000, 2002, 2004, and 2006. This provided a successful base for a more comprehensive forum under the name, “MENA ICT Forum” for the year 2010.

The Forum of 2013 will cover new levels that are of importance for the region through an agenda, rich in content; discussing a number of important, pivotal issues related to the atmosphere of regional investment. In addition to supporting legislative codes, communication and information technologies infrastructure, pioneering, investments in new companies, and coverage of educational bodies and the development of human resources.